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Osamu Dazai's The Setting Sun: The Manga Edition
A classic of Japanese literature, brought to life in manga for the first time!
This is the first manga edition in English of The Setting Sun, Osamu Dazai's classic novel, often considered his masterpiece.
Set in the aftermath of World War Two, this is the story of Kazuko, a strong-willed young woman from an aristocratic family that has fallen into poverty since the war. The book follows Kazuko's journey as she and her family struggle to survive and adapt to the harsh new conditions of their life. In addition to having to move from Tokyo to the countryside, where she has to work in the fields to support the family, she has to deal with her divorce, the birth of a stillborn child, and the return of her drug-addicted brother from the war.
A gripping and inspiring portrait of one woman's determination to survive in a society that is in the grip of a social and moral crisis, this classic manga will appeal to fans of Bungo Stray Dogs as well as to anyone who is fascinated by Japan.
This is the first manga edition in English of The Setting Sun, Osamu Dazai's classic novel, often considered his masterpiece.
Set in the aftermath of World War Two, this is the story of Kazuko, a strong-willed young woman from an aristocratic family that has fallen into poverty since the war. The book follows Kazuko's journey as she and her family struggle to survive and adapt to the harsh new conditions of their life. In addition to having to move from Tokyo to the countryside, where she has to work in the fields to support the family, she has to deal with her divorce, the birth of a stillborn child, and the return of her drug-addicted brother from the war.
A gripping and inspiring portrait of one woman's determination to survive in a society that is in the grip of a social and moral crisis, this classic manga will appeal to fans of Bungo Stray Dogs as well as to anyone who is fascinated by Japan.
192 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 17, 2024
first of all, i love the title. it’s the perfect metaphor for the transitioning of time—from day into night, from season to season, from one period of life to another. i have never encountered a more perfect title for a book before, one that encapsulates the book so fully, and then being immortalised as a classic.
here we have naoko, daughter of a former aristocrat, who is forced to leave the comforts of her home in tokyo, after it was bombed during the war. they move to the countryside where they become “ordinary folk” and then later on find out that they are already bankrupt. after selling most of their possessions to sustain them, her mother, the original aristocrat, falls ill and starts seeing snakes. this becomes an ill omen, and fear permeates the book.
naoko then takes on the responsibility of caring for her mother. suddenly, her delinquent brother returns after disappearing from going to war, and he squanders what money they have left. naoko is then forced to carry the burdens of their family alone, and this takes a great toll on her— so she turns to her closely-guarded secrets for comfort.
reading this book felt like i myself was transitioning from one era to another. the emotions of the characters were almost palpable from the pages as i witnessed them cope with the changes in their lives, and i sympathised with them all throughout the book.
i give this 🌟🌟🌟🌟 —now i need to read the original text this manga was based on. #niquereviews
i recommend this to fans of osamu dazai, and also to those who enjoyed kokoro by natsume soseki, and south of the border, west of the sun by haruki murakami.
thank you so much to Tuttle for giving me this ARC ♥️✨
———
my thoughts after reading:
read this in one sitting. such a melancholic read, and surprisingly its main theme was love. after having read no longer human, i did not expect this book to be more tender in comparison.
here we have naoko, daughter of a former aristocrat, who is forced to leave the comforts of her home in tokyo, after it was bombed during the war. they move to the countryside where they become “ordinary folk” and then later on find out that they are already bankrupt. after selling most of their possessions to sustain them, her mother, the original aristocrat, falls ill and starts seeing snakes. this becomes an ill omen, and fear permeates the book.
naoko then takes on the responsibility of caring for her mother. suddenly, her delinquent brother returns after disappearing from going to war, and he squanders what money they have left. naoko is then forced to carry the burdens of their family alone, and this takes a great toll on her— so she turns to her closely-guarded secrets for comfort.
reading this book felt like i myself was transitioning from one era to another. the emotions of the characters were almost palpable from the pages as i witnessed them cope with the changes in their lives, and i sympathised with them all throughout the book.
i give this 🌟🌟🌟🌟 —now i need to read the original text this manga was based on. #niquereviews
i recommend this to fans of osamu dazai, and also to those who enjoyed kokoro by natsume soseki, and south of the border, west of the sun by haruki murakami.
thank you so much to Tuttle for giving me this ARC ♥️✨
———
my thoughts after reading:
read this in one sitting. such a melancholic read, and surprisingly its main theme was love. after having read no longer human, i did not expect this book to be more tender in comparison.
June 25, 2024
Suvargau su šia medine klasikinio romano „Besileidžianti saulė“ manga adaptacija. Didžiulę įtaką Japonijos pokario visuomenei padaręs kūrinys čia skaitėsi kaip nuobodi muilo opera. O ir grafika man pasirodė labai prasta.
January 30, 2024
Book 9 January in Japan 2024
A good adaptation of a novel that I think not many people know from Dazai and its a really good novel too. Truly like the artstyle in here and I love how it adapt faithfully to the novel. Showcased on the hardship and the fall of aristocrats family to poverty after economic burst in the late 1930s Japan and how Kazuko tried to adapt to the new life with her mother who then fell sick to illness
Thank you to Edelweiss Book and Tuttle publishing for e arc
A good adaptation of a novel that I think not many people know from Dazai and its a really good novel too. Truly like the artstyle in here and I love how it adapt faithfully to the novel. Showcased on the hardship and the fall of aristocrats family to poverty after economic burst in the late 1930s Japan and how Kazuko tried to adapt to the new life with her mother who then fell sick to illness
Thank you to Edelweiss Book and Tuttle publishing for e arc
March 19, 2025
“Osamu Dazai's The Setting Sun: The Manga Edition” is a manga focusing on Kazuko, a Japanese woman from an aristocratic family who struggles to adapt to a life with her sickly mother and younger brother after Japan was destroyed by America during World War II.
Prior to the first chapter of the manga, the reader is provided with characters introductions including main character Kazuko, her mother (who is unnamed,) Kazuko’s Uncle Wanda, Kazuko’s brother Naoji, Naoji’s friend Jiro Uehara, and Uehara’s wife.
The manga consists of eight chapters and chapter one “The End of the War,” begins by transporting the reader to Tokyo shortly after the end of World War II. Uncle Wada informs Kazuko and her mother that the old caste system is gone and they will have to sell their house. It is revealed that Kazuko’s father died ten years ago and that during that time, her younger brother Naoji was sent to war. With the death of her father, her Uncle Wada is trusted by Kazuko’s mother and has been financially supporting her and her mother since the end of the war. After Kazuko and her mother move to their new house in the town of Izu, Chapter one ends with Kazuko’s mother becoming sick then Kazuko reminiscing about two past incidents involving snakes followed by a recent incident in which Kazuko burns a set of snake eggs and begins to view the recent snake experience as a bad omen.
Chapter two, “Secrets,” begins with Kazuko getting help from villagers after she accidentally set the house on fire. As the months, pass, Kazuko begins to work in the village fields. One day, Kazuko’s mother shares life changing news that she received in a letter from Uncle Wada stating that all of their money is gone and as such, Wada suggests that Kazuko should either find someone to marry or find a job in someone’s household. Kazuko is furious at her mother’s nonchalant react to this news and feels that her mother wants to be rid of her since she believes that Naoji is her mother’s favorite child. After Kazuko’s threatens to leave and stay elsewhere, her mother tells her that for the first time in her life, she has decided to disobey her brother, by telling him that she will decide what is best for her and her children and they will sell items to make money. Chapter two ends with Kazuko and her mother reconciling.
Chapter three, “Naoji’s Return” begins with Kazuko being surprised when Naoji shows up unannounced at their new house. Kazuko quickly becomes annoyed at Naoji when he insults their mother’s appearance and stays out drinking all night. In this chapter, it is revealed the circumstances that led to Kazuko getting divorced. Chapter three ends with Kazuko feeling like a bad person for her past experiences leading to her divorce and pregnancy, accepts that Naoji is a bad person and begins to believe that her mother is a bad person too.
.
Chapter four, “Kazuko’s Letters” begins with Kazuko writing a letter to Naoji’s friend Jiro and confides in him that her mother is now semi-invalid, they are able to stay in their home by their possessions after which Naoji’s takes the money, and she’s in love with a person whose initials are M.C who’s married with children. After writing several more letters, Kazuko becomes upset when she receives no response from Jiro. Chapter four ends with Kazuko pleading with Jiro to push morality aside to be with her.
Chapter five, “Mother’s Death” begins with Kazuko still getting no reply from Jiro and being heartbroken when Naoji tell her Jiro is drinking and immoral books. Just as Kazuko is preparing to leave Izu to confront Jira in Tokyo, her mother’s health takes a turn for the worse. In desperation, Kazuko writes Wada who has a doctor and nurse visit the house. After seeing Kazuko’s mother, the doctor tells Kazuko that nothing more can be done for her mother leading Kazuko to lie to her mother about her medical condition. As days pass, Kazuko’s mother starts having issues with eating and exposure to lights. Naoji finally returns home to be with Kazuko and Uncle Wada and his wife briefly visit Kazuko’s mother but leave before she dies. Chapter five ends with the death of Kazuko and Naoji’s mother.
Chapter six, “The Revolution Begins” begins with Kazuko and Naoji becoming distant after their mother’s death. Kazuko decides to finally go to Tokyo and confront Jiro but is thrown off by the kindness shown to her by his wife. Still driven by her feelings of love for Jiro, Kazuko searches various places in Tokyo until she finds him drunk at a bar. Although Kazuko thinks that Jiro doesn’t remember her, he eventually admits that he received her letters but didn’t write back because he doesn’t like aristocrats. When Kazuko tells Jiro that she is now. a poor person, Jiro says he loves then hides her away is the attic of an acquaintance. After a night of sex with Jiro, Kazuko shares a medical observation and accepts that her love for him has faded. Chapter six ends with a simple statement that Naoji committed suicide.
Chapter seven, “Naoji’s Testament” begins with Naoji leaving Kazuko a letter explaining his perspective on life and how he never felt accepted by others since he great up as an aristocrat and started taking drugs as a teenager. As a soldier, Naoji gets access to more drugs and after leaving the war, begins to also drink alcohol in addition to the drugs. Tired of taking drugs to keep living and since he no longer has to worry about feeling judged by his mother for his behavior, Naoji commits suicide. Chapter seven ends with Kazuko finishing reading Naoji’s letter in which he confesses his love for a married woman before asking Kazuko to bury him in an aristocratic manner.
Chapter eight, “Kazuko’s Last Letter” begins with Kazuko writing a final letter to Jiro filled with sadness and joy. Kazuko thanks Jiro for providing her with a moral revolution and reflects on the irony that although her mother and Naoji both carried themselves as aristocrats, they both died tragically. Chapter eight and the manga ends with Kazuko explaining to Jiro how he was an integral part of moral revolution with plans to fight the old morals of the country with pride as a single mother of a bastard child and no longer views herself as an aristocrat.
As I finished the manga, I was annoyed by all of the characters and viewed them as shallow and self-absorbed. Kazuko views herself as a selfless martyr in most of the manga and believes that because of her divorce, she is destined for a life of service to her mother. Although Kazuko pretends to be moral in her care of her mother and Naoji, in reality, she is willing to destroy a marriage based on her skewed view of love. Kazuko’s mother is annoying because of how oblivious and childlike she behaves and is a one-dimensional stereotype of a clueless rich woman leading me to seriously consider if she ever loved Kazuko and Naoji’s father at all or viewed him only as a man to provide her with a comfortable lifestyle. Naoji was annoying because he was a leech who constantly took money from his mother Kazuko but showed no remorse for his behavior. Uncle Wada was annoying because he seemed to be more interested in maintaining their family reputation as former aristocrats. Jiro is annoying because he pretended to be Naoji’s friend since he has money and also enjoyed corruption Kazuko since he doesn’t particularly like aristocrats.
Prior to the first chapter of the manga, the reader is provided with characters introductions including main character Kazuko, her mother (who is unnamed,) Kazuko’s Uncle Wanda, Kazuko’s brother Naoji, Naoji’s friend Jiro Uehara, and Uehara’s wife.
The manga consists of eight chapters and chapter one “The End of the War,” begins by transporting the reader to Tokyo shortly after the end of World War II. Uncle Wada informs Kazuko and her mother that the old caste system is gone and they will have to sell their house. It is revealed that Kazuko’s father died ten years ago and that during that time, her younger brother Naoji was sent to war. With the death of her father, her Uncle Wada is trusted by Kazuko’s mother and has been financially supporting her and her mother since the end of the war. After Kazuko and her mother move to their new house in the town of Izu, Chapter one ends with Kazuko’s mother becoming sick then Kazuko reminiscing about two past incidents involving snakes followed by a recent incident in which Kazuko burns a set of snake eggs and begins to view the recent snake experience as a bad omen.
Chapter two, “Secrets,” begins with Kazuko getting help from villagers after she accidentally set the house on fire. As the months, pass, Kazuko begins to work in the village fields. One day, Kazuko’s mother shares life changing news that she received in a letter from Uncle Wada stating that all of their money is gone and as such, Wada suggests that Kazuko should either find someone to marry or find a job in someone’s household. Kazuko is furious at her mother’s nonchalant react to this news and feels that her mother wants to be rid of her since she believes that Naoji is her mother’s favorite child. After Kazuko’s threatens to leave and stay elsewhere, her mother tells her that for the first time in her life, she has decided to disobey her brother, by telling him that she will decide what is best for her and her children and they will sell items to make money. Chapter two ends with Kazuko and her mother reconciling.
Chapter three, “Naoji’s Return” begins with Kazuko being surprised when Naoji shows up unannounced at their new house. Kazuko quickly becomes annoyed at Naoji when he insults their mother’s appearance and stays out drinking all night. In this chapter, it is revealed the circumstances that led to Kazuko getting divorced. Chapter three ends with Kazuko feeling like a bad person for her past experiences leading to her divorce and pregnancy, accepts that Naoji is a bad person and begins to believe that her mother is a bad person too.
.
Chapter four, “Kazuko’s Letters” begins with Kazuko writing a letter to Naoji’s friend Jiro and confides in him that her mother is now semi-invalid, they are able to stay in their home by their possessions after which Naoji’s takes the money, and she’s in love with a person whose initials are M.C who’s married with children. After writing several more letters, Kazuko becomes upset when she receives no response from Jiro. Chapter four ends with Kazuko pleading with Jiro to push morality aside to be with her.
Chapter five, “Mother’s Death” begins with Kazuko still getting no reply from Jiro and being heartbroken when Naoji tell her Jiro is drinking and immoral books. Just as Kazuko is preparing to leave Izu to confront Jira in Tokyo, her mother’s health takes a turn for the worse. In desperation, Kazuko writes Wada who has a doctor and nurse visit the house. After seeing Kazuko’s mother, the doctor tells Kazuko that nothing more can be done for her mother leading Kazuko to lie to her mother about her medical condition. As days pass, Kazuko’s mother starts having issues with eating and exposure to lights. Naoji finally returns home to be with Kazuko and Uncle Wada and his wife briefly visit Kazuko’s mother but leave before she dies. Chapter five ends with the death of Kazuko and Naoji’s mother.
Chapter six, “The Revolution Begins” begins with Kazuko and Naoji becoming distant after their mother’s death. Kazuko decides to finally go to Tokyo and confront Jiro but is thrown off by the kindness shown to her by his wife. Still driven by her feelings of love for Jiro, Kazuko searches various places in Tokyo until she finds him drunk at a bar. Although Kazuko thinks that Jiro doesn’t remember her, he eventually admits that he received her letters but didn’t write back because he doesn’t like aristocrats. When Kazuko tells Jiro that she is now. a poor person, Jiro says he loves then hides her away is the attic of an acquaintance. After a night of sex with Jiro, Kazuko shares a medical observation and accepts that her love for him has faded. Chapter six ends with a simple statement that Naoji committed suicide.
Chapter seven, “Naoji’s Testament” begins with Naoji leaving Kazuko a letter explaining his perspective on life and how he never felt accepted by others since he great up as an aristocrat and started taking drugs as a teenager. As a soldier, Naoji gets access to more drugs and after leaving the war, begins to also drink alcohol in addition to the drugs. Tired of taking drugs to keep living and since he no longer has to worry about feeling judged by his mother for his behavior, Naoji commits suicide. Chapter seven ends with Kazuko finishing reading Naoji’s letter in which he confesses his love for a married woman before asking Kazuko to bury him in an aristocratic manner.
Chapter eight, “Kazuko’s Last Letter” begins with Kazuko writing a final letter to Jiro filled with sadness and joy. Kazuko thanks Jiro for providing her with a moral revolution and reflects on the irony that although her mother and Naoji both carried themselves as aristocrats, they both died tragically. Chapter eight and the manga ends with Kazuko explaining to Jiro how he was an integral part of moral revolution with plans to fight the old morals of the country with pride as a single mother of a bastard child and no longer views herself as an aristocrat.
As I finished the manga, I was annoyed by all of the characters and viewed them as shallow and self-absorbed. Kazuko views herself as a selfless martyr in most of the manga and believes that because of her divorce, she is destined for a life of service to her mother. Although Kazuko pretends to be moral in her care of her mother and Naoji, in reality, she is willing to destroy a marriage based on her skewed view of love. Kazuko’s mother is annoying because of how oblivious and childlike she behaves and is a one-dimensional stereotype of a clueless rich woman leading me to seriously consider if she ever loved Kazuko and Naoji’s father at all or viewed him only as a man to provide her with a comfortable lifestyle. Naoji was annoying because he was a leech who constantly took money from his mother Kazuko but showed no remorse for his behavior. Uncle Wada was annoying because he seemed to be more interested in maintaining their family reputation as former aristocrats. Jiro is annoying because he pretended to be Naoji’s friend since he has money and also enjoyed corruption Kazuko since he doesn’t particularly like aristocrats.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2025
I have a preference to the novella, but this manga version is pretty well adapted too. The strongest part of the story will always remain Naoji’s letter in both version.
July 8, 2025
I mostly read this due to Bungo Stray Dogs and wondering if Dazai was REALLY as obsessed with suicide as the character makes him out to have been.
This... doesn't really *disprove* that idea. Then again, I don't know if F. Scott Fitzgerald was as obsessed with money as THAT character makes him out to have been—I only managed to get through The Great Gatsby and fell asleep trying to even START reading This Side of Paradise.
For that matter, it makes me wonder what makes a book a "classic," that this story about aristocrats losing all their money and, slowly, their health and will to live, makes it a tale for the ages. All I can think of is it's from a "Riches to Rags" perspective, portraying them as becoming/degrading themselves to normal people instead of an artificially important class. Like "Rags to Riches" would be a power fantasy, where the reader/viewer imagines themselves in the story, but opposite—for Riches to Rags, the reader/viewer would imagine their enemies in the story.
I guess? I have a hard time picturing myself being involved in this specific story at ALL, even if I reimagine it to being set in modern times.
Four stars primarily because it's (probably) a decent adaptation, though I dislike the choice of font for Kazuko's internal monologues, which doesn't distinguish between I and J very well. Not going to grade the story itself, since I haven't read the original and otherwise don't want to get too far into it.
Edit to add: Curiously, there's a mention of The Cherry Orchard, which I find interesting for reasons. (The developers wanted more people to know about the story, so MISSION ACCOMPLISHED, I suppose! I've already spotted it twice!)
This... doesn't really *disprove* that idea. Then again, I don't know if F. Scott Fitzgerald was as obsessed with money as THAT character makes him out to have been—I only managed to get through The Great Gatsby and fell asleep trying to even START reading This Side of Paradise.
For that matter, it makes me wonder what makes a book a "classic," that this story about aristocrats losing all their money and, slowly, their health and will to live, makes it a tale for the ages. All I can think of is it's from a "Riches to Rags" perspective, portraying them as becoming/degrading themselves to normal people instead of an artificially important class. Like "Rags to Riches" would be a power fantasy, where the reader/viewer imagines themselves in the story, but opposite—for Riches to Rags, the reader/viewer would imagine their enemies in the story.
I guess? I have a hard time picturing myself being involved in this specific story at ALL, even if I reimagine it to being set in modern times.
Four stars primarily because it's (probably) a decent adaptation, though I dislike the choice of font for Kazuko's internal monologues, which doesn't distinguish between I and J very well. Not going to grade the story itself, since I haven't read the original and otherwise don't want to get too far into it.
Edit to add: Curiously, there's a mention of The Cherry Orchard, which I find interesting for reasons. (The developers wanted more people to know about the story, so MISSION ACCOMPLISHED, I suppose! I've already spotted it twice!)
September 24, 2024
Osamu Dazai is an icon of Japanese literature, including No Longer Human (1948) and The Setting Sun (1947), neither of which I have read even in translation, except now both as manga. No Longer Human is intense, bleak, and like The Setting Sun details life in post-war Japan, devastated by American bombs, in defeat and economic turmoil. Both, written by a depressed author who took his own life, capture the ennui of life in that country and in that period.
So you have thus been warned, but I found both to be powerful stories, devastatingly sad as some people’s lives surely are. No Longer Human has a manga master adapt Dazai’s story: None other than Junji Ito, who knows horror as a genre, and captures it as real life horror.
Cocco Kashiwaya’s adaptation of Dazai’s The Setting Sun (2020, but translated into English 2024) is not the work of a master, by any means, but if you want to know whether to read this story, it’s a good start. The art is spare, the telling straightforward, but both are solid and respectful to the original work’s intentions, as far as I can tell. Dazai was born into aristocracy, so this story of an aristocratic family destroyed by WWII may be something he knows about.
The focus is on Kazuko, who had a stillborn baby out of wedlock from an alcoholic artist she fell in love with; her brother Naoji, who became an opium addict during the war in all its horrors, and her mother, who was raised not knowing how to manage money or anything after her husband died.
Okay, so it is a grim story, but humane, as you get to admire Kazuko and her mother’s attempts to keep Naoji alive. You admire her determination to make a decent life for herself, something Dazai must have attempted--and finally failed--to do, fundamentally. Maybe Kazuko represents Dazai's reaching for hope, in the way of he closing line of Sylvia Plath's novel The Bell Jar: "I took a deep breath and listened to the old brag of my heart: I am, I am, I am."
One memorable moment in the novel is the mother’s sudden--post husband’s death--fear of snakes, an image that recurs slitheringly through the tale. Horrors in the daily life of some people in despair, but some people surely include many in post-war Japan.
So this is a good introduction to Dazai’s novel, and it’s good for that at the very least. But as the world changes for so many people on the planet, including endless war trauma, it might be good to read for insight into and empathy about that.
So you have thus been warned, but I found both to be powerful stories, devastatingly sad as some people’s lives surely are. No Longer Human has a manga master adapt Dazai’s story: None other than Junji Ito, who knows horror as a genre, and captures it as real life horror.
Cocco Kashiwaya’s adaptation of Dazai’s The Setting Sun (2020, but translated into English 2024) is not the work of a master, by any means, but if you want to know whether to read this story, it’s a good start. The art is spare, the telling straightforward, but both are solid and respectful to the original work’s intentions, as far as I can tell. Dazai was born into aristocracy, so this story of an aristocratic family destroyed by WWII may be something he knows about.
The focus is on Kazuko, who had a stillborn baby out of wedlock from an alcoholic artist she fell in love with; her brother Naoji, who became an opium addict during the war in all its horrors, and her mother, who was raised not knowing how to manage money or anything after her husband died.
Okay, so it is a grim story, but humane, as you get to admire Kazuko and her mother’s attempts to keep Naoji alive. You admire her determination to make a decent life for herself, something Dazai must have attempted--and finally failed--to do, fundamentally. Maybe Kazuko represents Dazai's reaching for hope, in the way of he closing line of Sylvia Plath's novel The Bell Jar: "I took a deep breath and listened to the old brag of my heart: I am, I am, I am."
One memorable moment in the novel is the mother’s sudden--post husband’s death--fear of snakes, an image that recurs slitheringly through the tale. Horrors in the daily life of some people in despair, but some people surely include many in post-war Japan.
So this is a good introduction to Dazai’s novel, and it’s good for that at the very least. But as the world changes for so many people on the planet, including endless war trauma, it might be good to read for insight into and empathy about that.
March 19, 2024
4.75 round up to 5.
Reading this version made me feel the same as when I was reading the No Longer Human manga version.
I have read the novel version and completely in love with it and I think this manga version captured what the novel was trying to say very very well.
I found this retelling very refreshing. It gave me new way of seeing the story as whole. It feels like I have found what I have been missing when I was reading the novel in this version. It gave me new perspective and it's very helpful to understand the story.
The illustrations made by Cocco Kashiwaya are so beautiful. I think it captured the moments and feelings very well. It completes the story perfectly. I really love the art styles. The way it shown the characters feeling as well as their beauties and degradations are so interesting and of course, helpful. It helps me to connect with the characters and the story even more.
I think this manga version is the perfect way to those who want to start reading The Setting Sun but quite unsure if they could grasp the meaning of the story or not. Well, not just The Setting Sun, but other Japanese Classics that have the manga version by Tuttle. I think it's a good way of retelling.
I really liked this manga version. Definitely worth the time!
Thank you for Edelweiss and Tuttle Publishing for the e-ARC in exchange of honest review.
Reading this version made me feel the same as when I was reading the No Longer Human manga version.
I have read the novel version and completely in love with it and I think this manga version captured what the novel was trying to say very very well.
I found this retelling very refreshing. It gave me new way of seeing the story as whole. It feels like I have found what I have been missing when I was reading the novel in this version. It gave me new perspective and it's very helpful to understand the story.
The illustrations made by Cocco Kashiwaya are so beautiful. I think it captured the moments and feelings very well. It completes the story perfectly. I really love the art styles. The way it shown the characters feeling as well as their beauties and degradations are so interesting and of course, helpful. It helps me to connect with the characters and the story even more.
I think this manga version is the perfect way to those who want to start reading The Setting Sun but quite unsure if they could grasp the meaning of the story or not. Well, not just The Setting Sun, but other Japanese Classics that have the manga version by Tuttle. I think it's a good way of retelling.
I really liked this manga version. Definitely worth the time!
Thank you for Edelweiss and Tuttle Publishing for the e-ARC in exchange of honest review.
August 17, 2024
Thank you Tuttle for sending me a copy of Osamu Dazai’s The Setting Sun: The Manga Edition
In this we follow Kazuko, a young woman from an aristocratic family that has fallen into poverty since the end of World War II. We follow Kazuko as she struggles to adapt to new life changes and being forced to move to the countryside with her family. The story hones in on not only her struggles with poverty, but her struggles with divorce, death and a drug addicted brother
This story felt so wrapped up in sorrow and love. The artwork was so beautifully done and really transports you from present day into this past era. The emotions of each character were captured so well which really made it easy to sympathize with them. At times it felt like being a fly on the wall watching them go through these hardships.
In this we follow Kazuko, a young woman from an aristocratic family that has fallen into poverty since the end of World War II. We follow Kazuko as she struggles to adapt to new life changes and being forced to move to the countryside with her family. The story hones in on not only her struggles with poverty, but her struggles with divorce, death and a drug addicted brother
This story felt so wrapped up in sorrow and love. The artwork was so beautifully done and really transports you from present day into this past era. The emotions of each character were captured so well which really made it easy to sympathize with them. At times it felt like being a fly on the wall watching them go through these hardships.
March 12, 2024
A manga adaptation of one of the best works by the Japanese writer Osamu Dazai. The writer is famous in Japan until the present day and is loved by the youth for his rebellious works in a deeply obedient society.
The illustrations portrayed the story in such a profound way that I could not put the book down until I read it. I read it in one go.
The story focuses on an aristocratic family in its decline after World War II. Themes of love, loss, new and old systems of morals clashing and causing psychological disturbances to the society. How does one deal with these changing times? Some give in, some give up and some fight until the very end.
I'd give this manga a solid 10/10!
Thank you to Edelweiss and Tuttle publishing for the DRC.
The illustrations portrayed the story in such a profound way that I could not put the book down until I read it. I read it in one go.
The story focuses on an aristocratic family in its decline after World War II. Themes of love, loss, new and old systems of morals clashing and causing psychological disturbances to the society. How does one deal with these changing times? Some give in, some give up and some fight until the very end.
I'd give this manga a solid 10/10!
Thank you to Edelweiss and Tuttle publishing for the DRC.
May 3, 2025
This is a manga about a young woman named Kazuko who must find her way in life in post-WWII Japan. Once aristocrats, Kazuko and her mother struggle with money and health problems and move from Tokyo to the countryside to build new lives. They miss Kazuko’s brother Naoji who fought in the war but has not returned home, and Kazuko yearns for an old love. The manga is an adaptation of a story by Osamu Dazai.
I liked this book overall. I felt like the manga style art undercut the gravity and seriousness of the themes of the book, though some may find that a counterbalance to the same. I liked the story overall and felt some pages and panels had a particular poignance. I recently bought a book of short stories by Osamu Dazai in plain text format and look forward to reading it.
I liked this book overall. I felt like the manga style art undercut the gravity and seriousness of the themes of the book, though some may find that a counterbalance to the same. I liked the story overall and felt some pages and panels had a particular poignance. I recently bought a book of short stories by Osamu Dazai in plain text format and look forward to reading it.
October 26, 2025
I hope it's only the manga format that doesn't do justice to this book, because I had a very hard time understanding the main character's decisions ... It felt like she was determined to cry and make every single bad decision available, including bringing an innocent child to life as proof of her individuality. Depressing for no reason.
January 13, 2025
I’ve read the novel back in 2023. And, it still hurts today. I’ve always wondered though, if Dazai wrote The Setting Sun as his last will to fight for his life…maybe he still wanted to live :(
April 1, 2025
The manga version oversimplifies a lot but it was a good refresher for the original novel without having to read the whole thing.
May 29, 2025
"As for me, I will live."
A powerful piece of writing, and just as depressing as I expected for a Dazai Osamu book. The art was understated and fit perfectly with the tone.
A powerful piece of writing, and just as depressing as I expected for a Dazai Osamu book. The art was understated and fit perfectly with the tone.
September 28, 2025
3.5 if I could; some of the illustration choices made it disingenuous to me when connecting to it, but perhaps that's just my own bias. a good read though!
December 1, 2024
Osamu Dazai's "The Setting Sun: The Manga Edition" offers a distinct and poignant perspective, different from the deep despair often felt in his works like "No Longer Human." This manga adaptation captures the struggles of post-World War II Japan, a time filled with hardship for its people. Yet, unlike his other works, this story conveys a sense of hope amidst the darkness.
The narrative brilliantly explores themes of destructive ideology—the intense desire to tear down the old and rebuild anew, aiming for perfection. It delves into how, sometimes, out of profound love and passion, destruction becomes necessary to forge something better.
The manga format makes the story accessible and engaging, though it still requires deep reflection to fully appreciate the complexities of its themes. "The Setting Sun: The Manga Edition" is an excellent blend of accessible reading and thought-provoking content, offering a fresh take on Dazai's exploration of hope and renewal.
The narrative brilliantly explores themes of destructive ideology—the intense desire to tear down the old and rebuild anew, aiming for perfection. It delves into how, sometimes, out of profound love and passion, destruction becomes necessary to forge something better.
The manga format makes the story accessible and engaging, though it still requires deep reflection to fully appreciate the complexities of its themes. "The Setting Sun: The Manga Edition" is an excellent blend of accessible reading and thought-provoking content, offering a fresh take on Dazai's exploration of hope and renewal.
March 18, 2024
This is the second manga adaptation of an Osamu Dazai novel that I happen to read in the last few weeks, and I found this one quite good as well. The rather sparse drawings are appropriate to the Japanese setting they describe and the bare dialogues between the characters as well as the dry sentiments that accompany them. Somewhat less corresponding to the final message of hope that in my opinion fails to emerge from the last few pages.
Questo é il secondo adattamento manga di un romanzo di Osamu Dazai che mi capita di leggere nelle ultime settimane ed anche questo l'ho trovato piuttosto bello. I disegni piuttosto scarni sono adeguati all'ambiente giapponese che descrivono ed ai dialoghi scarni tra i personaggi cosí come i sentimenti asciutti che li accompagnano. Un po' meno corrispondenti al finale messaggio di speranza che secondo me non riesce ad emergere dalle ultime pagine.
I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.
Questo é il secondo adattamento manga di un romanzo di Osamu Dazai che mi capita di leggere nelle ultime settimane ed anche questo l'ho trovato piuttosto bello. I disegni piuttosto scarni sono adeguati all'ambiente giapponese che descrivono ed ai dialoghi scarni tra i personaggi cosí come i sentimenti asciutti che li accompagnano. Un po' meno corrispondenti al finale messaggio di speranza che secondo me non riesce ad emergere dalle ultime pagine.
I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.
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